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The vast majority of plants do not absorb nitrogen from the air. Legumes are the well-known exception.

• Kbelicius 1y ago
  It isn't legumes that absorb nitrogen from air. It is bacteria that lives on their roots.
  • AngryData 1y ago
    That is true but legumes actively foster those bacteria on their roots and without the legumes most of that bacteria dies. Its a symbiotic relationship.
• jletroui 1y ago
  That, and most of the other nutrients which was needed to grow the vegies ( like phosphates and potassium) are flushed into the toilet. There will be no long term permaculture without cycling those back at some point. Otherwise, organic or not, this will remains an wasteful open loop.
• westurner 1y ago
  I think that's why it's good to rotate beans or plant clover cover crop. Three Sisters: Corn, Beans, Squash: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(agriculture) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Sisters_(agriculture) Companion planting: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companion_planting https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Companion_planting Nitrogen fixation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fixation https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nitrogen_fixation
  • westurner 1y ago
    From https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43764441 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43764441 : > "Discovery of nitrogen-fixing corn variety could reduce need for added fertilizer" (2018) https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17721741 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17721741